Labour vow to change ‘outdated and damaging’ baby formula restrictions | UK News

Following reports of parents stealing vital baby formula and baby banks suffering shortages of the product, the shadow secretary of state for health and social care has told Metro that Labour backs calls for the government to scrap guidelines surrounding how infant formula can be bought. 

While customers can use loyalty points and store gift vouchers to purchase the likes of alcohol, pet food and energy drinks, baby formula cannot be bought this way, however desperately it is needed.

It’s an issue currently being highlighted by Metro’s Formula for Change campaign in partnership with the family support charity Feed, which demands that the government gives the green light so cash-strapped families can afford to feed their families. 

Sign our petition.

Backing our initiative, shadow secretary of state for health and social care Wes Streeting told Metro: ‘All families should be able to feed their babies and it’s too hard for so many to afford to do so in this cost of living crisis.

‘Regulations that prevent families from using foodbank vouchers to buy infant formula are no longer fit for purpose.

‘We will not stand by while outdated restrictions have a damaging impact on those struggling to make ends meet, which is why Labour’s backing The Metro’s Formula For Change campaign.

‘With Labour, retailers will be able to accept loyalty cards and vouchers as payment for infant formula to help families feed their children.

‘We will urgently review existing legislation on infant formula, ensuring that regulation is protecting families and their babies, not making life more difficult for them.’

The cost of baby formula, also called infant formula or formula milk, has soared amid the deepening cost-of-living crisis.

The cheapest brand has shot up by 45% in the past two years, First Steps Nutrition previously found.

In response to the growing crisis, Metro teamed up with the charity Feed to call on Rishi Sunak’s government to urgently review their infant formula legislation.

With almost 50,000 signatures backing our petition calling for change, Formula For Change has garnered the support of several famous faces, including Katherine Ryan, Michelle Heaton, Kelsey Parker and Ashley James. 

Meanwhile, supermarket chain Iceland has also joined forces with Metro to support our campaign and openly defied government policy by slashing the price of its formula range by more than 20%.

Iceland’s executive chairman Richard Walker, says ‘bold action’ from ‘joint forces’ is integral for any change.

He told Metro.co.uk: ‘I welcome the decision from the Labour Party to back the Formula for Change campaign. It is encouraging to know that under a future Labour government, Iceland’s decision to accept loyalty points and vouchers as payment for formula milk wouldn’t be breaking any guidelines.

‘This shouldn’t be about politics, or a debate between the merits of breastfeeding or using formula, this is about supporting the choices of UK parents as they navigate the cost of living crisis.

‘It’s about doing what is right, and supporting retailers like us so that we can do our part without facing consequences from archaic rules and regulations.

‘In making this decision, Labour has demonstrated it is on the side of business, and ordinary families who are doing their best to get by every day.’

Mr Streeting’s comments come after Labour’s Preet Gill also voiced her support.

The Birmingham Edgbaston MP told Metro: ‘While not intended to do so, the Government’s policy preventing the price reduction or promotion of formula feed is now hurting families.

‘The Government must protect mothers and children, especially the most vulnerable, from the worst effects of this cost-of-living crisis.

‘I support Metro and Feed’s campaign to get the government to overturn the current ban on purchasing formula with loyalty cards, such as Nectar, Boots or Tesco Clubcard, and vouchers.

‘Labour will make sure that families no longer have to suffer from this economic crisis.’

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Kirsten.Robertson@metro.co.uk 

Share your views in the comments below.

READ MORE: The great formula scandal: When did feeding babies stop being a priority?

READ MORE: Iceland will ‘illegally accept vouchers’ to help struggling families buy baby formula

READ MORE: Mums ‘out of options’ as Government urged to act on baby formula costs

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.